29 January 2020

NEWS

A safe haven opens its doors

Sexual Violence Resource Centre to provide support, resources PAGE 3

EDITORIAL

NEWS

Your UMSU, your U-Pass

A more diverse UMSU

Vote to continue savings is a public good

Former candidates, leaders encourage Indigenous students PAGE 5

PAGE 8 SPORTS

Captain Chatyrbok?

Bisons forward leading young core PAGE 19

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 2 0 · J a n ua ry 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Sexual Violence Resource Centre opens its doors Space recommended by sexual violence report commissioned by university last term MALAK ABAS, STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malak Abas

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Doering

ARTS AND CULTURE

me@themanitoban.com

Playing on your own terms

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

Hut Hut’s lead singer sets sail

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

PAGE 17

comment@themanitoban.com

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Grace Paizen

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SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

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COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

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ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Megan Pietrus

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COPY ASSOCIATE Ursula Chojko-Bolec

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Joshua Wesey

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GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

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DESIGN ASSOCIATE Kellie Huynh GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela

AUDIO AND VIDEO

VISUAL CONTENT EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

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PHOTO ASSOCIATE Alex Decebal-Cuza PHOTO ASSOCIATE Ally Gonzalo VIDEO ASSOCIATE Nish Joshi VIDEO ASSOCIATE Paul Stabell AUDIO ASSOCIATE Tino Hove SPORTS

Regina rumble

REPORTERS

NEWS Gillian Brown

Bisons go 2-for-4 against Cougars

NEWS Damien Davis NEWS Amira Tekle

PAGE 20

NEWS (INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS) Kayla Lariviere COLUMNIST Cam Cannon COLUMNIST Meagan Hughes ARTS & CULTURE Kaelen Bell ARTS & CULTURE Zachary Sigurdson SPORTS Isaiah Wagner

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n the fifth floor of UMSU The pair consulted with different that notes the SVRC will report to conflict management office, and centre was for it to follow through University Centre sits an communities and departments on the university “when there is reason they’re sort of the ones who make on promises to be survivor-centric, unassuming space — four adjoining campus prior to the SVRC’s open- to believe the safety of the university those final decisions for that.” anonymous and open to everyone rooms, with tea and hot chocolate ing and continues to do so. community is at risk.”

In March 2019, the U of M pub- within the campus community. for visitors — that seeks to serve an “The university sort of just trusted “We want to make sure people lished relationship guidelines for “Best case scenario is that they are ambitious purpose: to provide a space us with that task of putting this come and stay safe and feel safe to faculty, which “strongly discour- genuinely survivor-led and survivorfor students, staff and faculty affected together,” she said. tell their stories, and also there’s that aged” but did not prohibit relation- focused, that they listen to a diverby sexual violence.

Woligroski called the SVRC’s line,” Woligroski said. ships between students and university sity of voices, listen to a variety of The Sexual Violence Resource approach “survivor-focused” and “So if someone doesn’t want to employees. reports, not just from white, cisgender Centre (SVRC), which opened its emphasized confidentiality as a key cross that line, we’re going to help students, but also every student on doors Monday, will provide resources mandate of the space. them as much as we can to not cross Students express campus,” she said. and support to campus community “What [was] lacking is a safe that. But mandatory reporting to the hope, concern “Because there tends to be a focus a members. space for people to come and have university […] generally, if there’s Faculty of agriculture student lot of times in investigations of sexual The centre is set up with a cen- their questions answered in a way belief that there’s a pattern and a risk Phoenix Nakagawa has been fol- violence [that result in] only white tral entrance room, two offices and a that is safe and doesn’t put them at of future harm.” lowing the implementation of the cisgender communities [feeling] safe private space, all accessible through risk,” she said.

Woligroski said the abuse of sexual violence report since its reporting these up the chain, where a separate doors. The U of M’s Klinic Confidential resources include an power structures on campus could unveiling. She criticized a “lack of lot of black, Indigenous communities counsellor will also be moving into intake form that minorities being don’t feel safe at all going to the police the space. can be filled out spoken about” and asking for help.”

The SVRC currently has two with a preferred Nakagawa added she was both at the report’s “We provide options, and that might staff members: co-ordinator Bre name, optional presentation and “optimistic and pessimistic” about look different to everyone” — Bre Woligroski and confidential intake self-identification asked university the SVRC moving forward. and triage specialist Courtney as a student, interpresident David She said while the centre being Woligroski, SVRC co-ordinator Klassen. national student, Barnard how he open and available was “amazing,” Woligroski said the pair was faculty, staff or planned to address she remains fearful for the safety of “eager to be part of this project,” which community memviolence being survivors within marginalized comoriginally began as a recommenda- ber and a breakdown of the legal lim- be a possible example of an incident faced by racialized and queer people munities, whether they choose to tion in the sexual violence report its of confidentiality. that calls for a mandatory report to on campus during its question period. disclose or not. released by the university in fall 2019.

While some situations require the the university.

Nakagawa, who is a transgen“For me, it’s like building a dam,” “It feels positive, we did a lot of SVRC to break confidentiality and “It might be a mandatory report der woman of colour, said while her she said. work to get here today for sure,” she share information with authorities if it’s a student to someone who has concerns about the report were still “It’s good that we’re building a dam, said.

— the disclosure of abuse of a child or power over them, or a staff person to prevalent, the opening of the SVRC but if it breaks at any point, holy crap, The university did not provide disclosure of imminent physical harm someone who has power over them,” is a “step in the right direction.” we are screwed.” them with set requirements for their to themselves or others, for example she said.

“I’m always going to be concerned program, according to Woligroski, — some may be approached on a more “We’ll take everything on a case- about student and faculty welfare, no who noted it was “technically a pilot case-by-case basis, including a line on by-case basis and we consult very matter what,” she said. project.” the SVRC’s confidential intake form closely with the human rights and Nakagawa said her hope for the See SVRC | Page 6

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News

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com /ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News

Ryerson University terminates agreement with student union

Student leaders call for more diversity in campus politics

University claims union failed to adequately address financial mismanagement allegations

Former UMSU candidates, board members encourage Indigenous students to step forward

MADI WONG AND EMMA SANDRI, THE EYEOPENER

KAYLA LARIVIERE, STAFF

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yerson University announced last McMillen said in her statement the RSU stated by the university. decision was not made lightly,” wrote happened last year and that issue is week that it has terminated its that the financial mismanagement The Ontario Federation of Labour McMillen. still being resolved. It doesn’t happen 1986 operating agreement with the allegations breached the operating (OFL) released a statement call“The university wants to assure that overnight.”

Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU). agreement. She wrote that Ryerson ing the university’s severing of the we remain committed to working in Scott said due to the fact that the In a statement posted online Jan. gave the RSU “ample time to rectify agreement “an assault on democracy,” good faith with a student government forensic audit has been advertised 24, the university’s vice-provost stu- the situation, but the RSU has failed condemning the “ill-conceived and that demonstrates a commitment to to be released at the SAGM, the dents Jen McMillen wrote that the to do so.” short-sighted decision” to terminate good governance and sound financial university “should ideally have been university “no longer recognizes the In response, the RSU released its the agreement between the university management.” told — and to my understanding, it RSU as the official student govern- own statement that it does not accept and the RSU. The RSU is a separate entity from has been told.” ment representing Ryerson students” the termination as valid.

“Ryerson is acting against its own the university, with its own Board of “It certainly seems premature for and that the university has “lost “The university’s attempted ter- students, who stand to lose important Directors. the university to just arbitrarily and According to McMillen, the uni- without any consultation with sister confidence” in the RSU’s ability to mination of the operational agree- services that student unions advocate represent and serve students. ment, and added threat to support for and provide,” stated OFL secre- versity will ensure that services like student unions terminate an agreeAccording to a Ryerson spokesper- an entirely new student government, tary-treasurer Ahmad Gaied. “health and dental benefits,” which are ment that threatens equity service son, the transfer payment agreement actively undermines the autonomy The termination’s impact on the provided by the RSU, continue to be centres, health and dental plans, fullbetween the university and the RSU and democratic rights of students,” union service centres remains to be accessible to students for the rest of time and part-time staff and so many seen. the academic year. recognizes the RSU as a separate the statement reads. other vital campus services.”

The RSU was planning on releascorporate entity from the university The Canadian Federation of McMillen told the Eyeopener “It’s downright wrong,” Scott with its own corporate governance Students (CFS) publicly stated via that the university is “committed” to ing the forensic audit and a report added. structure.

Twitter that it condemns Ryerson’s ensuring that essential programs and on the audit at the upcoming semi“What concerns me the most is the In January 2019, Ryerson’s student “attack on student democracy.” services continue to support students annual general meeting Feb. 3. staff who work at the RSU and the According to CFS national exec- so that there isn’t a “significant disnewspaper, the Eyeopener, obtained Corey Scott, executive director of students who rely on their services. photos of RSU financial statements utive representative Kayla Weiler, ruption to students for the remainder the Continuing Education Students’ The situation is sad,” said Maklane Association of Ryerson (CESAR), DeWever, former interim president showing food, clothing, alcohol and the RSU remains a member of the of the academic year.” club purchases — some upwards of Federation until further notice.

McMillen added that the uni- which is a sister student union to the of the RSU. $2,000 — with a credit card under the The university said it will keep The CFS “can provide […] train- versity has had concerns about the RSU, said the move by Ryerson is former RSU president’s name. ing sessions around good govern- “recent public turnover” of leadership “premature” due to the semi-annual students “informed throughout this According to McMillen’s state- ance, fiduciary duty, good financial positions within the organization. general meeting (SAGM) being just period of transition.” ment, the university notified the RSU practices and best practices of how Since Dec. 10, four out of six around the corner.

In its statement, the RSU also that it would be withholding the fees to operate a student’s union,” said executives have left office with the “Honestly, the university is mov- mentioned that it “will continue to collected from students until the Weiler. vice-president equity, vice-president ing hastily and undermining student operate and support students.”

“We, as an organization, see that marketing, vice-president education democracy,” he said.

RSU met the following conditions: The proposed SAGM will still conduct a forensic audit, share the it’s the students’ unions’ responsibility all resigning and the vice-president “We’re currently in a hangover take place on Feb. 3. The RSU stated audit results with the university and to deal with the matter at hand,” she operations being impeached. period with the RSU, and everyone it encourages students to participate negotiate a new operating agreement. added, referring to allegations against “We want to reiterate that this knows that. There was an issue that in the general elections.

Beloved building finally falls QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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The historic exterior of the Public Safety Building between Princess Street and King Street stands tall in its final days. Demolition of the building began Jan. 22.

MSU elections for executive and community representative positions are fast approaching, and Indigenous student leaders are calling on Indigenous students to get involved with campus politics.

Noah Wilson — former copresident of the U of M Indigenous Students’ Association and past Indigenous student representative for UMSU — said he believes it is important for Indigenous students to either vote or consider running in the election.

“There are no pan-Indigenous solutions to the distinct issues that face Indigenous peoples from all backgrounds and that is exactly why we need to see more Indigenous representation within UMSU and other student bodies,” said Wilson in a statement.

“It is important to remember that just attending a post-secondary institution like the University of Manitoba is an act of resilience when considering the legacy of the Indian Residential School system, the ’60s Scoop, Indian Day Schools and the current systemic over-representation

of Indigenous youth in the child wel- were unrepresented or unsupported.” Indigenous students to run. ing that is provided is something I fare system.”

While Beach called her experiShe said that while students may will cherish long after my journey Three slates ran in the 2019 UMSU ence as a candidate in the election encounter negative interactions and in post-secondary education is over.” election. The EXIST UMSU slate “life changing,” it did not go without push back for being an Indigenous “Nominating yourself gives you was comprised of all Indigenous and challenges. person, “remind yourself that taking a platform to start critical converracialized members, including the “EXIST team members had to up space and speaking up on behalf sations you feel are missing in the author of this story. Annie Beach, deal with lateral violence, targeted of students is historic and important campus community,” he said. a Cree and Saulteax woman, cam- complaints from other slates,” she work, and that no matter the outcome, “Through EXIST, my team and I paigned for president. said, adding she felt the team was you will inspire many students and were able to encourage conversations Beach said she decided to get “punished for supporting a first-year you will grow as a result.” about representation, inclusion and involved with Beach and the working towards a union that repUMSU elections EXIST UMSU resents its students through its cambecause she “knew slate did not paigns, advocacy and social events.”

“We believe it’s important for students about the history receive enough Kirsten Fleury, female co-presito get involved in university politics to of UMSU and my votes to take the dent of the Métis University Students’ own experiences UMSU elections, Association, said including broad repensure their opinions are being properly feeling unsatisfied but all continue resentation in student politics ensures represented” — Kirsten Fleury, co-president to be involved in more opinions are voiced. and unsupported as an individual student politics.

“We believe it’s important for stuMétis University Students’ Association student.”

Qudus dents to get involved in university “I made the Abusaleh, cur- politics to ensure their opinions are final decision to rent racialized being properly represented,” she said. run because of members of my team Indigenous candidate, called out commissioner for the Canadian “Student governments are supand my community who encouraged for practicing ceremonial smudg- Federation of Students in Manitoba, posed to be the voice of the comand supported me,” she said. ing in the shared Indigenous [stu- ran with the EXIST slate for the stu- munity — which can only be done if “I knew that we would all take care dents’] lounge space and had to bring dent life position. the community makes their opinions of each other and that we were in it awareness on issues like tokenism Abusaleh, a former reporter with heard.” together, and had a shared goal of and racism.” the Manitoban, said in a statement he making the school a better place for Although the process was not is thankful for the experience. all students, specifically those who smooth, Beach encourages other “The skills, experiences and learn-

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com /ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

SVRC to include consultation on campus, wider community supports Continued from page 3 Woligroski noted some non-confidential data would be monitored.

“Definitely number of visitors, number of people, how many people call us a day, how many people walk through the door a day,” she said.

The optional self-identification on the SVRC confidential intake form will also be monitored.

“We’re really interested in who is accessing the centre. Are they accessing it for themselves or are they accessing it to support someone else?

And generally if it was an incident, did it happen on campus, is this a

thing that happened on campus or Community work, including pro- at the SVRC — rather, students off campus is something else that’s viding consultation on alternate hous- will receive information on choices really important?” they can make and Resources go are offered supbeyond disclo- “For me, it’s like building a dam, it’s good that port, something Woligroski said sure options and we’re building a dam, but if it breaks at any comes with the emotional support — the SVRC will territory of the point, holy crap, we are screwed” provide services unique array of — Phoenix Nakagawa, U of M student to members of the student needs on Bannatyne camcampus. pus, offer appoint“Some commuments out of the centre and outside ing and options for campus members nities of folks are more vulnerable of business hours and are qualified to to disclose outside of the university than others, so if it’s an international consult survivors on accommodations framework, is also provided. student who had a bad sexual vioThere is no specific framework of lence encounter and whose study visa such as exam deferral or switching classes. next steps for students who disclose depends on their success here at the

U of M, that’s a whole different set of circumstances that they would have to consider,” she said, “because they’re afraid, because they’re vulnerable in that way. So, if their presence here in Canada is dictated by their program here, they don’t want to put that program at risk, things like that.

“We provide options, and that might look different to everyone.”

Woligroski said accessibility is the end goal of the centre.

“We’re here, we’re available — we’re available for everyone on campus.”

UMSU shaves election day, passes preferred name motion Motion says shortened voting time due to “undue anxiety and stress” on candidates AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

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MSU’s board of directors gave the green light for two changes to its elections and referendum manual proposed by the UMSU governance committee at its Jan. 16 meeting. The changes include shortening the voting period and allowing candidates to use their preferred name in their candidacy.

Candidates will now have the option to be nominated using their preferred name and forgo the use of their legal name when running for UMSU office.

The amount of time students will have to vote will be reduced from three days to two in accordance with the changes to the governing documents moved by the governance committee.

According to the motion, the third echoed Schillberg’s reasoning in an platforms. They want to get back to real life.” day of voting “places undue anxiety email. and stress on candidates and slates” “By that third day candidates are Sanderson added that he believed and “the third day of voting has a quite fatigued, have often had to there is a consistent lack of voters on minimal impact on results.” miss classes and fall behind on work, the third day in past UMSU elections. “ In consu lta“There are sigtions with previous nif icantly less “Voters are also weary of being talked to running members voters on day during nomination multiple times in the hallways and messaged three — it usually period, it’s been follows a roughly on all their social media platforms” very taxing on 60-30-10 split,” he them emotionally,” said.

— Jakob Sanderson, UMSU president said UMSU gov“Many of these ernance committee voters will likely chairperson Eric Schillberg at the so the long campaign period really vote day one or day two if they know meeting. does dissuade some talented candi- day three is no longer an option. By “Voting on the third day generally dates from wanting to run,” he said. this point, students and candidates sees less students [voting] due to the “Voters are also weary of being talked will still have nine days to interact timing of the day, ending at 4 p.m.” to multiple times in the hallways and with one another and two full days UMSU president Jakob Sanderson messaged on all their social media to have the chance to cast their vote.”

Last year’s UMSU elections had a particularly high voter turnout of 28.5 per cent.

When asked whether the move may be perceived as undemocratic, Sanderson replied that he did not think it was, though he understood the concern.

Nominations for this year’s UMSU elections will be taking place starting Feb. 3 and ending Feb. 14, with nomination packages available at the UMSU and CRO offices (101 UMSU University Centre and 102-O University Centre, respectively). Voting will open March 4 at 8:30 a.m. and close March 5 at 4:30 p.m.

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Malak Abas Contact: editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

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The long and winding road to U-Pass renewal

Referendum options on U-Pass fee increase an opportunity to continue saving on transit MATTHEW DOERING, STAFF

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innipeg Transit and the story worth crunching. this is a tough sell to existing U-Pass people at the U of M are not The upcoming referendum in two- holders. innovators. If they were, students week’s time will see a ranked ballot But there are reasons to seriwould not be currently deciding if with three options. Is the U-Pass to ously consider this ballot option. It the first U-Pass — universal tran- be abolished, rendering decades of is a vote for public transit in a city sit pass — contract with Winnipeg work by UMSU meaningless and where single-occupancy vehicles Transit should be renewed. Contrast futile, and relegated to the annals of this situation with the innovators at woeful yore?

Queen’s University, who had a uniA vote “No” would not be a vote A vote “No” would versal transit pass in 1973. against a fee increase, it would be Fortunately, though, 20 years after a vote against the U-Pass for all be irresponsible Winnipeg Transit last declared that students. a U-Pass was unfeasible, the U of M It would be a vote in the face of and University of Winnipeg were the ever-escalating climate crisis and are all too common. It is a vote for finally able to reach a deal in 2016, a denial of the climate emergency affordable transit for all of the stuand the U-Pass and affordable transit that UMSU and governmental bod- dents at Winnipeg’s post-secondary fare for university students became ies around the world have declared. institutions. a reality.

With the students’ union backing the If this fee increase, which the Now, after four years of students at U-Pass and therefore advocating for it City of Winnipeg needs to bring less the U of M having no longer enjoyed to be extended to Red River College expensive transit fares to more people the monthly necessity of enduring (RRC) students as well, a vote “No” — members of the Red River College long lines to purchase a post-second- would be irresponsible.

Students’ Association — allows more ary pass, we are at a crossroads. Will Or is the current two-semester people to take the bus more often, the same luxury be afforded to our- U-Pass with an 18 per cent cost then it is only for the good of the city. selves and to future classes of incom- increase — at a monthly cost of And that is for the good of us all. ing students? Or will the monthly $40.19 — preferable? Given Winnipeg Or the third option, which UMSU wait return? While the Feb. 12 to 14 Transit’s budgetary constraints has actively advocated and argued for referendum — mandated by a 2018 while trying to extend the U-Pass to throughout the past year. The same 18 revision to the UMSU Act requiring members of the Red River College per cent increase for fall and winter fee increases above the rate of infla- Students’ Association — both which semesters, plus an additional $77.15 tion — will tell, the numbers tell a contribute to the necessary increase — tacked on to winter semester fees —

GRAPHICS BY EVAN TREMBLAY

for a total annual cost of $398.65 — to the change to avoid the long walk. cover a new summer U-Pass valid With a majority of us using transit from May through the end of August regularly and a vast majority makfor all students registered full-time in ing use of the U-Pass, combined the winter semester. with added opt-out options in the This is the most budget-friendly new contract for those students not option. A full 12 months of unre- only outside the Perimeter Highway stricted transit travel for a 2.46 per but who are not served by Winnipeg cent reduction in the monthly cost Transit within city limits, it would of the U-Pass, compared to the cost be illogical to vote otherwise than for of the current eight-month pass. This the expansion of service that UMSU option equates to $40.19 per month has successfully negotiated. for fall transit and $29.74 per month So vote in the U-Pass referendum. when the winter fee is split across Vote for continuing the U-Pass. Vote eight months for RRC students to gain the U-Pass.

Transit ridership statistics indicate Vote for your own reduced summer that 59 per cent of U of M students transit fare. are daily users — among those who It’s a small step to tell city council, ride transit more than three times and all our fellow students city-wide, per week — while 83 per cent of eli- that improving transit matters. That gible students have made use of their improving accessibility to transit U-Pass. matters. It’s a small step to not being The difference of 24 per cent, part of a regressive university student according to UMSU president body. A small step to maintaining Jakob Sanderson, represents those services that other large universities students who have made use of the in Canada offer, that other universiU-Pass who wouldn’t otherwise buy ties in Manitoba offer. A small step a monthly pass. to combating climate change in our And for students in residence, it’s own lives every day. still a $3 cash fare to Superstore. With A small step to being the innovathe U-Pass there is no need to dig up tors that we say we are.

Editorial

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10 Comment

Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

2019-2020 EXECUTIVES

Doughnuts, cereal and Canada’s declining news media Mainstream Canadian media taking cues from over-sensationalized southern counterparts KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

Star became the topic of discussion rather than the meeting that was the entire purpose of Trudeau’s visit to Winnipeg in the first place.

Canadian media has taken a page out of American media’s sensationalization GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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ver the past few weeks, it’s only the second-most important become abundantly clear that story, because for the next several much of the news media in Canada days, media across the country was now only cares about one thing: get- focused on the fact that Trudeau had ting views. gone to a local business to buy doughJustin Trudeau came to Winnipeg nuts, instead of to Tim Hortons.

Jan. 20 to meet with Premier Brian Headlines like “Canadians Pallister over Pallister’s new carbon criticize Trudeau after visit to Oh pricing scheme for the province and Doughnuts bakery in Winnipeg” and Mayor Brian Bowman over the ongo- “Prime minister’s cabinet snack sparks ing opioid epidemic in the city. But online doughnut debate” from outthe coverage of their meetings was lets like Global News, CTV and the

This practice by many outlets in Canadian media has become all too common recently.

Just a few weeks ago Tim Hortons workers were locked out by a franchise owner in Winnipeg who refused to pay them an additional 10 cents per hour.

During this period, Tim Hortons received glowing coverage in the media while the story of the lockout was seemingly ignored. This is because at the exact same time workers were locked out, outlets like CBC, Global News and CTV were all far

more interested in the launch of and debate surrounding a new Tim Hortons breakfast cereal.

Since the rise to power of U.S. President Donald Trump, there has been a well-documented bump in the ratings of every cable news network that covers him.

This has meant covering his early morning tweets about “covfefe” or edited videos of him body slamming CNN, or when he spoke about the “oranges” of the Special Counsel investigation into him, or when he visited Puerto Rico during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and tossed “beautiful, soft” paper towels like basketballs to the victims who needed supplies.

Canadian media has taken a page out of American media’s sensationalization script.

Through their coverage of trivial matters like doughnuts or a breakfast cereal instead of real issues facing Canadians, outlets like the Star, CBC, Global and CTV are all contributing to the dumbing-down of Canada’s

entire population.

But more than just that is the fact the time spent on these trivial matters takes away from talking about the serious issues that currently plague many Canadians. This is time that could be spent looking at how disastrous the dictatorships inside businesses have become — where owners and shareholders make all the decisions and the workers are forced to deal with the consequences — the case of Tim Hortons and its workers on strike.

Or it could be spent on Pallister’s new carbon tax plan and just how detrimental his new exemptions will be for the environment and the ongoing unaddressed meth crisis, in the case of Trudeau’s doughnuts.

News isn’t supposed to be entertaining or driven by views. It’s supposed to be informative. Canadian media is better than this, and trust in outlets not only depends on accuracy of reporting, but what an outlet chooses to report on.

It’s time they chose more wisely.

Shift to performance-based funding a gift to big business

Mahder Teffera

Okechukwu Efobi

Cody Ross

Ehsan Tahmasebian

HSGSA President

VP Services & Support

VP Finance & Administation

Senator 2

Tanjit Nagra

Carl Neumann

Julia Minarik

VP Academic

President

Senator 1

Fund education for the social good, not to create a race to the bottom for workers

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

A

cross Canada, the neoliberal student satisfaction. The funding tied tide is sweeping across post- to these metrics could represent as secondary education with little to much as 40 per cent of total annual no effective resistance from student operational funding by the 2022-23 unions or any other groups beyond academic year. non-combative advocacy.

These changes come on the back of The latest expression of this trend the announced lifting of the current is to be found in recent changes to the freeze on tuition — to be cancelled funding of post-secondary institu- in time for the 2020-21 academic tions in Alberta. year — and overall cuts to funding The government of Alberta for universities — amounting to as recently announced changes to how much as 7.9 per cent in the 2020-21 funds are allocated to post-secondary academic year. Interest charged on institutions through the Campus government-issued student loans also Alberta Grant. The changes are increased, accompanied by hundreds a move toward allocating funding of millions of dollars in cuts to tax through the grant according to the rebates for students. performance of universities following The news has been received by certain metrics. student advocacy groups such as the Nothing is settled yet, but some Alberta Students’ Executive Council possibilities the Alberta government with optimism. It claims the move has floated include allocating funding could enhance how university funds based on graduation rates, graduate are spent and save students money. incomes and employment rates, priHowever, others are less enthusivately funded research revenue and astic and are raising warnings about

the potential implications of linking funding to outcomes for academic freedom, the arts and the integrity of post-secondary education.

The consequence of these changes is that universities are likely to be structurally compelled to prepare students for employment in the fields directly related to their degrees, rather than providing a genuine education which doubles as both a social good and has been demonstrated to benefit graduates to a greater extent in the long run. The liberal arts, which train students in critical thinking and how to synthesize information, are at risk because they do not belong to any single industry. Of course, this is not to take away from the experience of those students enrolled in scienceand technology-related fields — these fields are necessary for any society to properly function. However, many of these fields could be seen as being in greater demand than the liberal arts so long as economic conditions favour them.

The issue is that a capitalist economy is fundamentally one that runs on boom and bust cycles and on competition. Workers compete against each other for the same jobs, driving down wages, and businesses compete against each other, driving the perceived efficiency and productivity. The result is that, for example, a promising student at the beginning of their studies may soon find themselves graduating in a world where the industry they were counting on for employment has folded.

Given the recent mandate letters tions fail to meet their targets and issued to Manitoba’s universities — then receive a shortfall in funding which will similarly tie funding to — are students expected to pick up performance measurements — as the bill in the form of tuition hikes? well as the recent shuffle in the pro- Will this lead to an acceleration of the vincial cabinet, similar changes are trend toward more casual teaching expected to come to Manitoba in staff that only leaves our educators coming months. in increasingly precarious positions as institutions try to cut costs? In all likelihood, there will be a combinaThe reality is that tion of both.

The reality is that these shifts in these shifts in funding are a neoliberal act of corpofunding are a rate welfare. The only beneficiaries of these setups are the business ownneoliberal act of ers that benefit from extra competition among workers and a growing corporate welfare untapped reserve of potential labour — the unemployed. Even better for Whether in Alberta, Manitoba them if they are saddled with student or anywhere else, shifts toward per- debt — desperation only exacerbates formance or outcome-based fund- the problem. ing models are bad news for students It’s nothing but a downward spiral and bliss for big business, which can that promises to deepen inequality by count on trained armies of graduates making one of the only traditional clamouring for jobs, driving down methods of upward class mobility wages and making workers with that — getting a post-secondary educatechnical knowledge more and more tion — even more out of reach for replaceable. To some extent this is working-class students. already the case — in Alberta in 2016, As these changes spread across the as part of a bust cycle, just 363 engi- country, students need to be prepared neering students found internships not only for themselves, but for future out of a class of 812. But once universi- students and society at large. Do we ties are structurally compelled to only want to live in a society that’s run at offer these types of educations, what the whims of a market for the few at happens to the rest of us? Do we con- the expense of the many? tinually re-educate ourselves hoping It is not the time to rely on milqueto be the lucky ones to predict where toast liberal advocacy by groups of the job market will be in a few years? individuals that benefit from collaboAlso at hand is the issue of what ration with sitting governments. Now happens to students when institu- is the time to fight.

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12 Comment

Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

Comment 13

The toxic cycle of unpaid labour in academic institutions

Encampment removals a poor response to homelessness

How universities exploit marginalized communities on campus to achieve “progressive” goals

Tearing down shelters seeks to hide the issue, and instead exacerbates it

KARAN SAXENA

MEAGAN HUGHES, STAFF

people need in order to end homelessness for good. Supportive housing typically also includes social services that provide a well-rounded support system for people who are at risk.

Supportive housing services can include medical care, addictions counselling, connection to education programs and community services.

Increasing supportive housing efforts is good for our communities

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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here seems to have been an unde- a part of many patronizing meet- campus has seen to demonstrate their niable push to diversify cam- ings, each of which were meant to allyship. The meeting adjourns before puses in the last few years, which be spaces for me to be heard — or an action item is discussed until the has been adopted by post-secondary so I was told. next term — students have papers to institutions rather performatively.

My fellow student leaders in write, faculty members have to grade Universities now seem to market groups like Justice for Women have them and staff members have to make themselves to marginalized students undoubtedly experienced this type sure the university doesn’t fall apart. with their participation in progres- of patronizing consultation before Three months later, seeing new sive movements to gain more regis- — consultations a week or two before violent incidents the meeting will tration without ample policies that exams that cater to the schedules of be much shorter — this time a sigdiscourage the alienation of the same administrators. nificant decrease in those committee students. How do universities then These meetings refer to policy members you thought understood mitigate the issues arising from a cul- jargon that we were never briefed on. your pain because they were forced ture that never supported a supposed Meetings during which administra- to feel it just the same. Maybe two diverse campus? tors have openly demonstrated their of the ones missing are faculty memWhen I first started working in hostility toward student activists. bers in typically marginalized and areas of equity and diversity policies Meetings wherein our suggestions extremely under-funded departments and sexual violence policies, it felt were either outright dismissed, or that are overworked — being a part good to be involved in public ser- were met with visible discomfort. of 20-odd committees and writing vice. Spending countless hours of We have been referenced in grants to sequester funding for their my own time to understand policy reports without being directly con- research. Another absentee may be jargon that is inaccessible to all but sulted or being recognized for our a grad student who is working three the institution — all to attempt to work. We have been here, all along, jobs, living off a few grants they were eradicate experiences of violence and trying to bring a culture of consent offered and barely making ends meet discrimination toward racialized and to campus by advocating for addi- while doing this work purely out of queer students, eliminate sexual vio- tional resources, resource centres and passion. lence and to bring gender parity on training components for students and Your choice now is to either open an inherently colonial campus feels staff — policies that support those up your wounds again and call out the really good. disproportionately affected by sexual lax campus culture that enabled new After the honeymoon period, violence. “acts of cowardice,” or realize that this this activism has led me to realize At the end of the day, however, the committee will not do anything and the toxic cycle of unpaid labour that image of the institution caring about drop it — you weren’t getting paid for marginalized folks face in institutions the people must be upheld. Even in your emotional labour anyway. such as the U of M. This toxic cycle the rare instances where our demands It won’t be the privileged that is not an anomaly, but something felt are materialized, our input and push will be brought into a room without by many marginalized members of is conveniently forgotten. Co-opting any compensation for their labour, the community. our work is easier than supporting us, donating their work and life, to be consulted about making campus a The collapse of my faith in being or so it seems. able to make meaningful change Make no mistake — many ser- better place. It will always be the through activism began with the vices and policy changes on this cam- overworked, the oppressed, the marrealization of how little one can pus have resulted from the unpaid ginalized. Consult, consult, consult. achieve within the matrix of univer- labour of many student activists, Higher-ups have continually demsity bureaucracy with a deliberately- faculty and staff members. Who are onstrated their will to change the placed top-down approach. We these consultations serving then? ways of the institution without putcannot forget that universities were Irrefutably, not the students who have ting in the work to actually change built on the principles of colonial been harmed because of the lack of them. hierarchies that meant to explicitly institutional will.

Maybe it is the inherent disand systematically exclude certain This is how other committees will trust of students or marginalized groups of people. operate – a group of people in power- staff and faculty members. Maybe In the past two years of talking ful positions will meet with marginal- things would be different if the unito the media and mobilizing around ized people to discuss their concerns versity committed to hiring people sexual violence policies, I have been with politically charged incidents the who know the field of equity and

diversity, anti-sexual violence work, queer advocacy — solely because of who they are and the identities they embody.

Trusting them and paying them for the exhausting work it requires to repair colonially-infested and institutionally-upheld policies and practices. Making more resources available for marginalized students and academics that are working and researching in poorly supported departments instead of taking them away for hours without any indemnity for their expertise.

The hard work of people who pour their heart and soul into these important causes is often trivialized with demeaning name-calling and

The hard work of people who pour their heart and soul into these important causes is often trivialized stereotypes.

Such criticism takes me back to the time when someone once banged on my door on campus, drunk, at 3 a.m. in a menacing tone. How they trespassed into my room the next day, screaming “I’ll make you mop my floor like the rest of them,” referring to a stereotype of the overrepresentation of Indian folk in janitorial jobs.

I still find this individual on campus after filing an official report with campus security, a report I have never been contacted about. I am reminded of other forms of assaults I faced — ones I still cannot open up about — that were trivialized on account of my gender and other factors. The alleged luxury of “putting it on my resumé for my benefit” is quickly shattered.

I have personally seen the fatigue of this work up close, and I have certainly felt it consume me whole.

Maybe I can’t comprehend why this work is perceived as radical and subverted identity politics in action — or perhaps I don’t want to be assaulted again on campus and see the person who racially profiled and attacked me walking freely.

A mere institutional apology or faux inclusion in developing strategies is not a tool of reparation or progress.

The new President’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be a true test of these clear issues facing marginalized people. I hope that it will confer with more than a limited number of students, not only providing them with meaningful opportunities but also by adequately paying them for the work they do while representing the actual demographics of the university.

If we are tackling issues of inequity, then it must be recognized in who gets paid for this work and who does not.

The goals of such policy work cannot be achieved without the process being just as equitable, otherwise involvement with these committees is not worth the trouble. We can still achieve structural change if we adequately compensate more people of colour for work that has a disproportionate impact on their communities. Or if survivors of sexual assault work directly to develop resources and overhaul policies that need amending, rather than adopting the recommendations of the external bodies.

Or maybe I should bury my head and mind my own business, further internalize the idea that I will never be good enough for such an institution after being subjected to even more violence and lose out on opportunities readily available to others — just like so many were forced to do.

H

omelessness is a pervasive issue Winnipeg to announce it would be Winnipeg’s shelters often become in our society. The number of removing encampments set up by overcrowded and full. This leaves people experiencing homelessness in members of the homeless community many people desperate for shelter Winnipeg is estimated to be between at Henry Avenue and Martha Street and warmth.

3,000 and 15,000. due to the idea that the “risk at these Removing encampments and shelIf space is not available in a shelter two prominent temporary encamp- ters may be an attempt by the city to or people are not comfortable stay- ments in downtown Winnipeg is too make homelessness invisible, but it ing in one, they will have to fend for great to mitigate.” does not erase the hardships of those themselves through whatever means In late November, community experiencing it. necessary to survive. This includes patrol group The Urban Knights Some people choose to live in building a shelter out of whatever and Ladies built two warming huts encampments over shelters, citing materials are available or setting in a field by the Manitoba Metis reasons such as thefts, bed bug infesup a tent to live in. It is common to Federation building which were torn tations, safety and lack of autonomy find encampments in urban areas of down by the City of Winnipeg. The for their choice. Temporary housing Winnipeg such as parks and under- city claimed the shelters did not meet often does not feel like home and neath bridges. zoning requirements or adhere to the does not offer the same freedoms as living on your own.

Two teepees set up near the city’s bylaws.

Disraeli Bridge were destroyed by During the cold winter months, If we want to see long-lasting solufire Jan. 14. The teepees were often having a warm and safe place to live tions in Winnipeg, city council must used by members of the homeless and sleep is crucial. immediately step in and invest in supcommunity for shelter and warmth.

With temperatures consistently portive housing and help provide the The fire sparked the City of hitting -20 C and even colder at times, level of support and autonomy that

immediately surrounding supportive housing have also been shown to mostly remain stable or increase based on data from the report.

But this type of positive response to homelessness takes determination and a sense of urgency to respond to the thousands of people who are homeless. Mayor Brian Bowman absolves the city of any accountability with regard to these people, stating that it is the responsibility of the provincial government to address Removing the issue.

So city council will tear down the encampments encampments of people without a home, but its solution to the issue and shelters may is to outsource it 100 per cent to the be an attempt by legislature.

Without a temporary solution — the city to make like immediately finding more shelter homelessness or putting more funding into community groups that will — the city invisible, but it is only creating more problems. And without working toward long-term does not erase the solutions of its own in consultation hardships of those with the provincial government, it cannot expect these problems to simexperiencing it ply go away.

Winnipeg needs big changes in terms of how homelessness is viewed and for our economy. as an issue and we cannot continue to Data from a report published by push people to the sidelines of society BC Housing in B.C. supports the in hopes that these issues solve thembenefits of establishing more sup- selves. Above all, it will take leaders portive housing efforts in Winnipeg — on both the provincial and the civic and in Manitoba. The presence of level — to deal with this issue with supportive housing facilities has the sense of urgency it deserves. been shown to benefit taxpayers as Rather than putting a bandage the costs of health care and correc- on a pervasive problem, the city and tional services for a person experi- province must offer real solutions to encing homelessness surpasses the help vulnerable people in our city cost of someone who is living in a gain the support they need to start supportive housing environment by living their lives the way they deserve almost $20,000.

— with a sense of community, safety The property values in the areas and respect.

Re: York University backlash an attempt to criminalize substantive criticism of Israel ARIEL GLIKMAN

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s acts of anti-Semitism are becoming more prevalent in Canada, the U.S. and around the world, it is becoming evident that anti-Semites are no longer afraid to hide in the dark.

In their article “York University backlash an attempt to criminalize substantive criticism of Israel” published in the Manitoban on Jan. 6, 2020, Cam Cannon laments that a group chanting “Viva intifada!” received a suspension from the York University administration.

In case Cannon is not aware, the word “intifada” has a very specific connotation when referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — specifically, a series of violent events.

Intifadas include hundreds of Israeli deaths, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, in cold blood. Acts of intifada have been perpetrated through inhumane methods such as suicide bombings in malls, restaurants and crowded buses and through rocket attacks.

The most recent intifada in 2015 anti-Semitism, that’s when university and 2016, known as the “Stabbing administrations must intervene on Intifada,” saw cases of young behalf of the greater student body.

Palestinians attempting to stab SAIA has not only been banned Jewish people with knives and occa- by UMSU at the U of M on the sionally succeeding. grounds of alleged “discrimination” For the leaders of organizations and “harassment,” the University of like Hamas — which is listed as a Toronto’s SAIA chapter organized terrorist group by the U.S., Canada an event off campus in 2019 with a and the European Union — who guest speaker, Issam Al-Yamani, who teach their youth to use weapons of was set to be deported in 2005 for war in order to inflict violence and allegedly belonging to the Popular pain, intifada is the way these ter- Front for the Liberation of Palestine rorist groups in support of Palestinian (PFLP), a terrorist organization as nationalism wish to cleanse the Land listed by the Canadian government of Israel, “from the river to the sea,” since 2003. How many more opporof Jewish people. tunities to spark fear in Jewish stuI condemn any and all actions dents will SAIA leaders be afforded of civilian casualties on any side of by the York administration? any conflict, and will most definitely Refusing to acknowledge the hatecondemn all acts of violence on cam- ful nature of SAIA’s practices — its pus, regardless of whether the cul- name alone seems to imply members prit is Muslim or Jewish. However, are more interested in promoting when groups like Students Against anti-Israel hatred than they are about Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) demon- promoting justice for Palestinians — strate a clear pattern of hatred and is one of several blatant failures of

Cannon’s article.

But the most egregious inaccuracy in Cannon’s piece is the complete and unfounded ignorance toward the indigeneity of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. Historical and archaeological evidence confirms that Jewish people are indigenous to this land, which they have called home for over 3,000 years, and where there has been a continued Jewish presence

I will most definitely condemn all acts of violence on campus, regardless of whether the culprit is Muslim or Jewish since then.

Jewish indigeneity does not

negate that Palestinians have also known this land as their home. But SAIA’s demonstrations against Israel Defense Forces reservists, who sought out dialogue rather than intimidation, made it clear that it did not support the right of Jewish people to defend themselves against terrorism.

In my mind, the calls of “Viva, viva Intifada” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” translate into one call: “Jewish people out.”

I reject extremism on any side of this conflict and can recognize that if Palestinians have a claim to this land, so too do the Jewish people. By furthering a narrative that refers to Israel as a “settler-colonial project,” Cannon is contributing to a seemingly growing fallacy that Jewish people have no claim to Israel.

With soaring levels of anti-Semitic acts, I hope Cannon joins me in calls that will hopefully one day reverberate through the world in these difficult times: “Anti-Semites out.”

Diversions 14

15

Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Prairie writing contest sees single Manitoban winner U of M alumna Donna Besel talks ‘The Bay Filly’ and her upcoming projects GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

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ward-winning author, local that was two years old,” she said, “and down there and they would eat the Manitoban and U of M alumna because the foals had to stay with grass and if it was hot enough and the Donna Besel is the sole Manitoban their mothers for a few months we bugs weren’t too bad we would take to win a prize in the 2019 Prairie went later on in August to pick them them swimming, and a photographer Fire Press and McNally Robinson up.” happened to be driving by and he Besel says “The Bay Filly” is the asked if he could take pictures of us.”

Booksellers annual writing contest.

Broken down into three catego- entire story of how chaotic and wild “I didn’t realize this person was ries — poetry, fiction and creative the trip was just to bring the horses so famous because he just signed the non-fiction — the annual contest back of the pictures ‘Malak.’” awards first through third prize and In fact, Besel recounted that the one honourable mention per cate- “I made a vow if I four photographs she has from Karsh gory. And although the other contest are very special to her because in the ever got a book winners were Canadian, they hailed 1990s her family’s house burned down, published I would from British Columbia, Nova Scotia, destroying all the family photographs.

Northwest Territories, Ontario and “So I made a vow if I ever got a put that picture on Quebec. book published I would put that picBesel won first prize in the crea- the cover” — Donna ture on the cover,” she said. tive non-fiction category of the conNow the origin story of Besel’s Besel, author test with her short story “The Bay beloved bay filly will live on in short Filly.” story form.

Prairie Fire Press will be publishThe idea for her story originated when Besel was conducting work- back to her childhood home on the ing the author’s award-winning story shops with kids as a Manitoba Arts shores of West Hawk Lake, Man. later this year along with the stories “My sister was hungover, so she of the other winners.

Council Artists in the Schools instructor. She would ask them to was kind of green the whole way As an author appearing on write about their experiences and down and the only time we stopped CBC’s writing award long and was so she could barf,” she said. short lists, a two-time Manitoba “own their stories.”

“One of the questions I ask them “When we got there […] my horse Book Awards nominee for Lessons is ‘Tell me a vivid memory from your [the bay filly] had tried to get back to from a Nude Man — nominated for past,’” she said. “And […] how can her mother and cut herself very badly.” the Margaret Laurence Award for “We had trouble with the truck and Fiction and the John Hirsch Award you describe that in great detail and we had trouble because we were sup- for Most Promising Manitoba Writer make it emotional?”

For Besel, the memory that kept posed to get a vet certificate to take — and a fixture of the Falcon Trails coming back to her during these animals across the border […] there Resort’s Wild Writing in the Boreal workshops was the story of going were lots of mess-ups,” she added. workshops, Besel is already looking Besel’s horse would recover from forward to the future, hoping to pubdown to Minnesota with her father and sister to pick up their horses. In her injuries and would become part of lish a collection of short stories and fact, her horse that graces the cover a famous encounter captured on film. a memoir.

“I’m constantly sending stuff out,” of her award-winning book, Lessons By chance, renowned Canadian phofrom a Nude Man, is one of the horses tographer Malak Karsh was driving Besel said. the family was trekking down to the on Highway 44 by Penniac Bay, Man., She shared that her upcoming where Besel’s family had a dock.

U.S. for. collection of linked short stories is “We had a small pasture where the “about a young woman growing up “[My father] had gone and purchased [the horses] in the spring dock was,” Besel said, “and in the in the boreal forest and having all when they were two foals and a pony summer we would take our horses sorts of trauma, loss [and] adventures”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DONNA BESEL

and that she also hopes to publish her memoir about her father’s prosecution for the sexual assault of her and her sisters.

“The Bay Filly” will be published

by Prairie Fire Press later this year.

Lessons from a Nude Man is available at major retailers.

16

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

Storyteller by trade joins campus community

U of M’s Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture welcomes Rob Malo

Arts & Culture

17

Hut Hut raised from the boards of Boats

Mat Klachefsky reinvigorates music-making fun KAELEN BELL, STAFF

ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

“Then I left that and I didn’t know what do to,” Malo said, “but I did know I liked to play music. I liked to be in front of people, I did some improv, did some theatre.

“So I took my drum and I went to Montréal and I played in the streets of Montréal for about a year.”

“For the next Manitoban generations, it is so important to pass on these ideas of culture and folklore” — Rob Malo, storytellerin-residence

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alling all aspiring writers and struggling artists: did you know the U of M has someone whose job is to consult and guide you in your creative endeavours?

There is, on the second floor of University College in the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture

Always a business major, Malo maintained a strict business plan to guide his creative work. With a practical-minded approach to art, he knew — as any aspiring creator with genuine goals of becoming published or performing on stage knows — he had to combine his artistic desires with practical goals.

“Most artists I talk to do not build PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROB MALO business plans,” he said, “but [for me] it was always ‘If by year two I don’t (CCWOC).

For the winter semester, the make this amount of money, if by year U of M welcomes Rob Malo as three I’m not achieving this certain monetary goal, I’m going to have to storyteller-in-residence.

Though a successful storyteller go and find a job.’”

“When you want to become a now, Malo’s career path wasn’t a straight line. In fact, he studied busi- full-time performer or full-time storyteller, your repertoire is almost ness administration in university.

secondary to ‘How are you going to ideas of culture and folklore.” appear in the public and how are you With the success of the character, going to sell yourself?’ So, right away Malo brought TiBert to the realm of you’re talking about business perspec- comic books. tives in my opinion.”

Collaborating with art direcMalo’s deep connection to his tor Ron Lamoureux and illustrator Franco-Manitoban and Métis roots Christian Miranda, the TiBert le inspired him to continue to pass down Voyageur series was born. Combining the culture and history of Manitoba historical education with artistic to the next generation. It was while direction, they are brutal wordless exploring his career options in his depictions of the trials of voyageur post-university life that Malo stum- life. bled into his career as a historical Malo now focuses less on the interpreter. financial aspect of storytelling, and “Eventually I ended up in Festival more on the creative aspect and du Voyageur — which is my cul- his “responsibility in society as a tural festival,” he said. “My parents storyteller.” are 30-year volunteer types. So that’s “I found a really nice niche as a just been a part of my life. I ended up storyteller in Manitoba and I think working for them which ended up at I can be sustained,” he said.

Fort Gibraltar.”

In his new position at the uniMalo would go on to create the versity, Malo is open for individual historically-based character TiBert consultations with students, faculty le Voyageur, later ending up at the and the public, and may be contacted Manitoba Museum for a decade online for an appointment. where he found more support and He’s also putting on a six-week opportunities to tell stories. As both workshop titled “From Oral Story a children’s performer and educator, to Production,” where he will help his character TiBert has delighted writers and storytellers at any level classes, museum-goers and audiences develop their projects and provide of all ages. guidance.

“The character himself is an eduApart from being excited to help cation piece,” Malo said, “but in others reach their own goals and the show, the connection with the make the connections needed to realcrowd, it’s real time. It’s me and the ize their creative dreams, Malo said kids, and that I live for. That moment, he is looking forward to bringing his that untouchable moment where time own unique twist to campus.

“I think I’m just bringing in a perstops and we’re in the same place, we’re in the same story.” spective of storytelling that doesn’t “You’re playing a historical stereo- fall that well within the academic box type of sorts, but you make it your that we’re used to seeing.” own and give it your own twist, but for the next Manitoban generations, More information on Rob Malo can it is so important to pass on these be found at umanitoba.ca/centres/ccwoc.

Bouncing between life and death, facts and fictions Jennica Harper’s ‘Bounce House’ is a relatable read in a world of grief and flat-Earthers GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

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he cover of Jennica Harper’s care of their aging mothers — Harper Bounce House, published in pushes important representations of late 2019, evokes the image of Carl women’s stories into the mainstream Fredricksen’s house from the movie spotlight.

Up — carried from the Earth by balBounce House features these same loons. The image alone encapsulates experiences of womanhood and shared themes between Harper’s motherhood while also taking on book of poetry and the children’s everything from flat-Earthers to the movie — that of heartbreaking patriarchal history of philosophy and departures set against the enthusi- science. asm of youth.

By doing so, Harper contemplates But that is where the similarities how perception becomes fact through end. Harper’s long poem — though the social contract. She juxtaposes it deals mainly with the winding road the perception that each peak of a of grief — summarizes the struggles tortoise shell could be seen as the of finding hope in darkness, even in “ridge[s] of a mountain” — playing our current reality. with the myth of the “world turA Vancouver-based Canadian tle,” — against the absurdity of the author, Harper is an award-winning flat-Earthers argument, forcing us poet and is a figure who should be to examine the stories humans have better known to the wider Canadian invented to understand our place in public. the cosmos.

Producer and co-creator of the Harper also takes on Schrödinger’s television series Jann — a story that cat as a patriarchal scientific and philexamines the life of daughters taking osophic story limited to the world

of binaries and seemingly unaware of liminal spaces. The line “There is no cat. Only men and their theories” questions the status and story of what is considered life or death, especially amongst death in infancy and stillborn ideas.

brings a familiar reality to Canadian readers. And Canada’s other universal phenomenon — our penchant for cold and snowy weather — receives the same treatment.

One of Harper’s stanzas recounts a car accident “en route to a Spring Break beach” where “a slick sudden snow” bears down on the vehicle.

This episode may remind readers For the tentative how and why Canada received its poetry reader, stereotypical nomenclature for being a snowy winter-scape.

Harper’s book is a For the tentative poetry reader, Harper’s book is a great starting point, great starting point each stanza consisting of four accessible couplets. The stanzas themselves feel like individual, open ended stoHowever, Bounce House is more ries, each one composed of a focused than meditative thoughts. The poem theme. makes a case for a universal Canadian In fact, the book is divided into experience consisting of geese and sections by illustrations from Andrea unstable weather.

Bennett — including a basketball for Responding with “vile mother- the flat-Earthers, a roulette wheel to fuckers” to a goose attack, the line signify the randomness of reality and

a house of holiday cards delicately placed on top of each other to symbolize the delicate existence of loved ones in our lives.

Even the text itself evokes visual depictions of experience — fractured thoughts are composed with large spaces in between the words.

The simplicity of language and visuals used in the long poem leaves plenty of room for self-awareness and contemplation amongst a blend of shared human experience and the humour that can be found in our dayto-day world.

Where Bounce House succeeds most is the poem’s encapsulation of our lives as a bounce — from the liminal space we exist in between our own birth and death, and the small, liminal existence of humanity in history, space and time.

L

ike some gangly misbegotten It’s this ethos of making music phoenix, Hut Hut arrives — for music’s sake, in search of genudusting off the ashes of the beloved ine connection removed from the Boats — and steps into a new world machinations of the industry, that of sideways harmonies and dancing drives much of Hut Hut’s wonky, enchantingly energetic debut album guitars.

In fact, Mat Klachefsky’s freshly Hut Hut Hut. birthed project is Boats in nearly eve“You always hear ‘We’re always rything but name. interviewing bands when they’re However, there’s one significant at the height of their careers,’” difference in the way Hut Hut’s Klachefsky said, “but all those peohelium-pitched frontperson views ple out there who I like — mid-level his new venture. bands or lower-mid-level bands — “Boats was my full-time focus what happens to them? Where do when it was happening and Hut Hut they go? Do they all get jobs and is not,” Klachefsky said. just never make music ever again?

“Where Boats was a full-time gig, Because that’s sad.” this is an evening and weekends gig.”

For this reason, Klachefsky hasn’t Following three albums and one gone away — instead, he’s found the EP, not to mention being signed to quiet corners of his life and filled the mythic Portland, Ore., label Kill them with what music he can.

Rock Stars, Boats was laid to rest in 2016. In the time between his original band’s retirement and his new band’s “I just want to be arrival, Klachefsky settled in. able to play music “I have to carry on with my life. I for people on my have a job and I have kids now,” he said. own terms and not His new responsibilities as a pargo into debt doing ent didn’t change the way he thinks about music — he simply thinks it” — Mat Klachefsky, about it less. They also made him question the realities of remaining Hut Hut lead singer relevant in an infamously cutthroat industry and whether that relevancy even matters.

“I would like to continue making “Can people still just make music music, but I want to make it on my casually, and not have it totally con- own time,” he said. sume their lives?” he said, “Music is “This is more like, ‘Hey, if I find supposed to be fun, can I just do this some time to write some songs, I will for fun, and have people enjoy it and write some songs.’ I don’t want to stop have people listen to it? doing that.”

“Instead of like, killing myself Still, Klachefsky said it isn’t to get a scrap of attention, putting always easy to put the time aside to $20,000 on my credit card so I can “go into the music space,” as he puts go tour or go record with some fancy it. Perhaps it’s this compartmentaldude.” ized, economic vision of creation that

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HUT HUT

helped create Hut Hut Hut’s lean, efficiently exploratory sound.

“It was important to try to avoid bloat,” Klachefsky said. “On those old records, I would listen and then be like ‘Why do we have all this stuff on this track?’”

“So, we kind of went a bit minimalist on it. Not what you can add but what you can take away. So the songs are a little simpler.”

A meticulous song writer, Klachefsky said the songs are released as they are in his head — each note pre-planned and hammered out in studio.

“It’s all mapped out in demos,” he said. “The studio recordings are just carbon copies of home recordings.”

However, this straightforward

planning doesn’t always make for easy of Boats will recognize. He hasn’t lost studio time — the pitfalls of translat- his sense of adventure or his desire to ing a vision to the real world remain. warp the world around himself in his “Sometimes you don’t know what funhouse of voice and music. you’re doing,” Klachefsky said.

“I just want to be able to play music “You go in and see if you can come for people on my own terms and not up with some ideas, and sometimes go into debt doing it,” he said. you have an idea you want to work It’s a seemingly simple goal, but on, and sometimes that idea doesn’t it’s a noble one too — to make music go anywhere and you just keep re- for people and not profit, to make recording it over and over a million music for yourself, to make music times and just completely waste all to stay alive. your time.”

“Let’s all just make music and play And while Hut Hut Hut’s econ- it and share it.” Klachefsky said. omy of sound seems influenced by “All the dads out there, let’s just his new life, Klachefsky said most make music. Let’s not kill ourselves.” of the songs predate his kids. They certainly sound youthful and fleet- Hut Hut’s inaugural album footed, filled with the same wild-eyed release show is Feb. 7 at the awe and free-form lyricism that fans Good Will Social Club.

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

18

Failure to launch

Second-year forward using nationals experience to help rookies

ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

T

he playoffs are approaching and the U of M Bisons men’s hockey team will have to fight to stay in the mix after a tough weekend.

Playing host to the University of Regina Cougars for an important two-game series, the Bisons had a chance to clinch a playoff spot with two wins. Instead, the U of R picked up four points in a weekend sweep, leap-frogging the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds for the final playoff spot.

With the Bisons still sitting fifth in the standings, the sixth-place U of R is behind by just two points after the weekend.

Friday

The first of the back-to-back

matchups between the teams was a back-and-forth contest. Goals were traded throughout the game until the Cougars came away with the 5-4 shootout win.

A fast-paced, playoff-hungry Bisons team came out to play right at the drop of the puck. Meanwhile, a U of R team desperate to make the post-season gave the herd everything it could handle.

The Bisons pressured the U of R throughout the first period but could not beat the Cougars netminder. This persistence paid off late as Adam Henry capitalized on his second opportunity of the game.

A Colton Veloso pass across the crease gave Henry a chance he could not pass up, as he sniped it short-side

on Brandon Holtby to give the herd a 1-0 lead.

The Bisons added two more goals within the next two minutes to give themselves a 3-0 lead.

The first came from a two-on-one break with Jonah Wasylak and Josh Tripp. Wasylak fed Tripp and he made no mistake, roofing the puck on Holtby.

The U of M’s third of the period was a routine shot from Winnipegborn Dylan Thiessen as he entered the Cougars zone. The floating wrister fooled the U of R netminder and sent the Bisons into the second period with a three-goal cushion.

Holtby woke from his first-period nap as he held the fort for his club early in the second.

19

Chatyrbok becoming major player in Bisons locker room

Bisons drop series to Cougars, fail to clinch playoff spot

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

Sports

His play sparked the Cougars bench, as the U of R got on the board halfway through the period with a squeaker that trickled through Bisons rookie goaltender Tyler Brown.

A little over two minutes later, Bryce Platt snapped one past Brown to cut the lead to one.

Bad then turned to worse for the U of M. Arthur Miller found the back of the net with just over a minute to go in the frame to tie the game 3-3 to end the second.

The Bisons did not seem to take the poor second-period performance well as the club came out hot to start the third.

After a penalty expired, Devon Skoleski jammed in the puck from the side of the net to give the herd a 4-3 lead.

Soon after it was the Cougars’ turn to get a power play and Tristan Frei snapped one from the point to knot the game up at 4-4.

The game remained tied through regulation, and in extra time Conner Chaulk became a villain in Wayne Fleming Arena. With 45 seconds to go in the second overtime period, Chaulk went to the box for cross-checking.

Despite furious pressure the Bisons could not find the back of the net, sending the game to a shootout.

Both netminders stood tall, and after nine shooters were stopped Chaulk was tapped to go next.

He walked in, snapped a shot low blocker on Brown for the win and walked directly off the ice.

Saturday

After a tough loss for the Bisons Friday night, Saturday provided no

relief for the home crowd. The herd was outscored and outmatched in 6-3 loss.

The U of R started off early with a rebound goal by Tanner Nagel after a beautiful Riley Lamb save. Not done there, the U of M was caught flatfooted on the penalty kill and Miller raced along the boards and ripped it far side to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars added a third marker from Chaulk and suddenly it was the U of M’s turn to be behind 3-0 going into the second.

The second period was little better, as Ty Barnstable and Tate Coughlin both scored to put the herd in a 5-0 hole through 40 minutes.

Things were not looking good for a tired Bisons team, and captain Henry arrived to give his team a spark.

Henry picked up the puck in the high slot and faked a shot causing a U of R defender to drop, taking himself out of the play. This left one man to beat and Henry made two nifty moves freezing the second defender before sniping it top corner to give the herd its first goal of the game.

Minutes after the goal, Skoleski added one of his own off a U of R turnover to turn it into a 5-2 game with just under half a period to play.

Nagel scored his second on an empty net and Ben Dalke scored late for the Bisons, but by then it was too late. The Bisons dropped the game 6-3.

Catch the Bisons at home next Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. CST and Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. CST. Both games will be against the first-place University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Bison suspended for steroid use Rookie running back tests positive for drostanolone, does not dispute suspension JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF PHOTO BY DAVE MAHUSSIER

O

n Jan. 21, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) released a statement announcing U of M Bisons football running back Logan Fischer has been given a fouryear suspension for violating the Canadian Anti-Doping Program’s (CADP) anti-doping rule.

Fischer tested positive for drostanolone — an anabolic steroid similar to testosterone — that is banned under the CADP. When reached for comment, Bisons head coach Brian Dobie shed light on the situation with Fischer, and the protocols the club followed once it had been notified.

“Most unfortunately, Logan made a very very bad personal decision to take performance-enhancing drugs,” Dobie said, “I won’t comment any further on that discussion for his sake for obvious reasons.”

Fischer was tested during an outof-competition sample collection ses-

sion Oct. 22 — three days prior to the Fischer had 30 days to dispute the from the Saskatoon Hilltops [football ing drugs and the ramifications. I U of M’s regular season finale against claim, but did not, and so accepted team], then he didn’t even play a year cannot tell you how much diligence the University of Regina Rams. The the four-year ban. ago — he was out of football — and is directed to that issue.”

CCES received the positive test result Dobie called the news of the posi- so in the summertime I reached out Fischer now joins a list of 11 U for the sample drawn from Fischer tive test “extremely disappointing to to him […] to see if he would be inter- Sports football players currently Nov. 10 and the U of M was informed. hear.” ested in coming back to football.” under sanction by the CCES. This “At a certain Fischer is now includes Canada West players Trivel point we were ineligible to par- Pinto — cocaine, a stimulant — and “I won’t comment any further on that given the name,” ticipate in any Malcom Lee — LGD-4033, a musDobie said. discussion for his sake for obvious reasons” sport under the cle mass-increasing selective andro“A nd t he n CADP, which gen receptor modulator — from — Brian Dobie, Bisons football head coach there’s a protoincludes training the University of British Columbia col at that point with teams. He Thunderbirds, and Kyle Borsa — where the player — will be eligible higenamine, a general stimulant — because a player is an individual and Fischer was a relatively new addi- to return to competition on Nov. 18, from the U of R Rams. he has rights — and there’s, I’ll call tion to the Bisons lineup, joining the 2023.

“That’s why it’s so, so disappointit a waiting period, where the player herd for the 2019 season as a rookie.

Dobie was clear he and Bison ing when an athlete makes that very has a significant time to appeal […] He made an immediate impact on the Sports take the issue of doping terrible choice,” Dobie said.

It’s a process, it takes time.”

Bisons offence, rushing for 65 yards, extremely seriously and do every“It’s not a mistake and I’m very According to the case decision receiving for 35 and recording a rush- thing in their power to ensure CCES comfortable with saying that on the released by the CCES, its initial ing touchdown. guidelines are followed. record. When an athlete […] makes review began on Nov. 13. Fischer “He was in our program for three “This isn’t some political line I’m that decision, it is not a mistake. accepted a provisional suspen- months,” Dobie said. giving you,” Dobie said.

“It is a personal decision that has sion on Nov. 19 and on Nov. 29 the “He was a brand-new player in our “We pay extreme due diligence […] very, very serious consequences to it.”

CCES formally asserted the violation. program, for three months. He was to addressing performance-enhanc-

T

he U of M Bisons women’s something.” important, so dealing with nervous- she believes is important to help the St. Mary’s so it felt like we picked up hockey team has had a season “Each game had so much intensity. ness was something I had to learn younger players. right where we left off,” Chatyrbok full of ups and downs.

I think [the experience] made me a in order to keep my composure on “Because I am only a year older said.

With 10 first-year players on the better hockey player because playing the ice.” than our rookies, I knew a big chunk “They are very easy to play with roster, the team has an exciting future against those teams forces you to take Being on a young Bisons team has of the girls coming in, either from and, because we have known each to look forward to past the struggles your game to the next level in order given Chatyrbok an opportunity to playing with them in past years or other for so long, we are able to read of the current season. Second-year to succeed.” step up and become a leader on and playing against them,” Chatyrbok off each other quite well on the ice forward Kaitlyn Chatyrbok will be a Hockey is much more than a off the ice. said. which makes the game so much easier major component of that future and physical game.

“The leader- to play.” has already had an impressive career The mental side ship role I tried The relative inexperience of the “For the rest of our games we are definitely with the herd. of the game sepato take on was current roster has meant a year of Last year, Chatyrbok and the rates the good just helping them learning for the herd. going for a big push to make it into Bisons made a successful run to the from the great. transition onto the Although the team is young national championship, winning the As a rookie on a team and being a and still working to gel as a unit, a playoff spot” — Kaitlyn Chatyrbok, consolation championship against reigning national friend, someone Chatyrbok believes a playoff push is Bisons women’s hockey forward the University of Toronto Varsity championshipthey could talk to still in reach for the rest of the 2019Blues. The chance to go to nationals winning team, or ask questions.” 20 season. as a rookie was a great experience for then heading with Two of these “For the rest of our games, we are Chatyrbok, who is looking to take the club back to the national tournaThe transition from high school to rookies, Sarah Dennehy and Kate definitely going for a big push to the lessons learned forward in her ment, Chatyrbok had to get a handle university is a big step for every player, Gregoire, create an amazing trio with make it into a playoff spot,” she said. career. on the mental side quickly. and she has used her experience of Chatyrbok on their line — though “We know it is within reach and I “Going to nationals was an amaz“It […] taught me to deal with making that jump successfully to help there is a very good reason for the think that has sparked an intensity ing experience,” Chatyrbok said. nerves in high pressure games,” she out some of the rookies. Although quick chemistry. within our team to really strive to “Being able to play against the said. she doesn’t have a letter on her jersey, “I love playing with Sarah and Kate, make it.” top teams in the country was quite “Every game at nationals is so a leadership role is something that we used to play together on a line at

20

Sports

VOL. 106 NO. 20 January 29, 2020

Bisons Briefs JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Women’s hockey ends Cougars winning streak at seven

7-11 on the season.

The U of M put up a good fight in game one, a 3-0 loss to the Golden Bears. The young Bisons squad pushed the Golden Bears in a 25-21 opening-set loss, before the U of A made it 2-0 with a 25-20 second set.

A 25-18 third-set win gave the U of A the match and showed what was coming for the Bisons the next night.

In game two of the weekend the Golden Bears showed that these bears have a big bite.

The U of M was dominated in a 25-10 opening-set win by the U of A, who went on to take the game with a 25-13 second set and 25-15 third set.

It may need some help, but the U of M Bisons women’s hockey team can still make the post-season. A weekend split against the University of Regina Cougars will certainly help.

The weekend did not start favourably for the herd, as the Cougars took game one 3-0 Friday.

Elise Endicott had the first and last goal for the Cougars, with Paige Hubbard scoring in between.

Despite six powerplays, the Bisons could not find the back of the net. Amanda Schubert made 16 saves on 18 shots in the loss.

Women’s volleyball The herd did bend twine pounced on by Pandas Saturday with a 2-1 win over It’s another weekend and another tough series for the the Cougars.

Jordyn Zacharias and Kate Bisons. In Edmonton to face Gregoire both picked up their the U of A, the Bisons took a fifth goals of the season, while single set in a weekend sweep Shaelyn Vallotton also scored by the Pandas. her fifth of the season for the This single set came Friday, U of R. in a lopsided 3-1 win by the U of With the win the Bisons A. A 25-11 opener set the tone snapped the U of R’s winning for the rest of the match, as streak at seven games. the Pandas took set two 25-13 With four games and a before the Bisons responded. A maximum of 12 points avail- 25-19 third-set win by the herd able, the U of M can still make forced a fourth, where the U of the playoffs. The herd sits seven A took the match with a 25-16 points back of the University of win.

British Columbia for the final Game two was just as tough playoff spot. for the herd, as the Pandas swept the weekend series with Men’s volleyball cannot a 3-0 win. take a set against Like Friday, the U of A University of Alberta opened with a 25-11 first-set The woes continued for the win, and then put the Bisons Bisons men’s volleyball team on the ropes with a 25-19 secover the weekend as the herd ond set. was swept by the University The Bisons rallied in the of Alberta Golden Bears. The third but could not pull off the Bisons failed to win a single set win — the Pandas took the set over the weekend and now sit 25-23 and, with that, the match.

Bisons and Cougars take turns sweeping the hardwood Bisons men add to win total, women get swept but stay in hunt JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

I

n basketball you win, or you lose.

That’s the way it works.

Over the weekend at IG Athletic Centre, Bisons fans got to feel both sides of that coin.

While the men’s basketball team continued a championship-worthy season with a sweep, the women were swept away at home against the University of Regina Cougars.

Men’s basketball

It takes pressure to make diamonds, but if you’re the men’s basketball team pressure also makes wins if Friday’s 72-69 victory over the Cougars is anything to go by.

The U of M rallied from a 36-20 deficit at halftime to claim the win.

The comeback got rolling in the third quarter. Benjamin Hillis drained a shot from range to push the Cougars out in front 42-29, but the herd responded with an eightpoint run to cut the lead down to 42-37.

Hillis ended the run, the U of R established a 47-39 lead and looked to carry the momentum into the fourth quarter, but James Wagner and Andre Arruda were having none of that. Wagner got a pair of layups to fall and added a free throw to make it 47-44, and Arruda went three-for-three from the free throw line to tie the game 47-47 at the end of the third.

The U of M outscored the Cougars 25-22 in the fourth quarter to take the game.

Saturday saw more pressure and another diamond for the Bisons as the herd rallied again to win, this time 79-74.

The U of R held a slight 58-56 lead over the hometown herd entering the fourth quarter. Cameron

O’Hara briefly wrestled away the lead for the Bisons at 62-61, but the Cougars answered with a sevenpoint run to take the lead at 68-62.

The two sides battled until a Keiran Zziwa jumper gave the herd a lead it would not give up. Arruda had a pair of jumpers and Zziwa had a pair of free throws as the U of M came back to win.

The weekend sweep pushes the U of M to 14-2 on the year, good for third in Canada West.

The losses drop the Bisons to 7-9 on the season, now in a fourway tie for ninth in Canada West.

Women’s basketball

Friday’s action turned into a track meet for the Bisons women’s basketball team, as the herd and the Cougars ran up and down the court exchanging points all night. The U of R came out on the winning end at 98-81.

The Bisons began the game on the right foot, outscoring the Cougars 29-22 in the first quarter.

From there the U of R took over, starting with a 27-18 second quarter to take a 49-47 lead into halftime.

The Cougars doubled up on their score with 49 in the second half — while the Bisons responded with just 34 — and the Cougars took game one of the weekend.

While not as high-scoring as Friday, Saturday was a tighter affair between the Cougars and the Bisons. Despite a strong fourthquarter effort from the herd, the Cougars held on for the 67-65 win and weekend sweep.

Like Friday, the U of M got started right, doubling up on the Cougars 16-8 in the opening quarter. The Cougars responded by putting up a 21-point second quarter while the Bisons could only get 13, leaving the clubs tied 29-29 at halftime.

The U of R again outscored the herd in the third quarter — this time 16-12 — but the Bisons did not go away.

With a quick five-point run to start the fourth quarter, the herd snagged back the lead at 46-45. The U of R responded with a 10-3 run to pull away, but the Bisons kept coming.

A Lauren Bartlett three-pointer got the Bisons ahead briefly at 62-61, then a pair of Faith Reid free throws got the Cougars back in front. From there the U of R built by going four-for-six from the free throw line to win.

The losses drop the Bisons to 7-9 on the season, now in a four-way tie for ninth in Canada West. With four games left on the schedule, the Bisons must stay ahead of the 5-11 Mount Royal University Cougars to stay in playoff position.

Next up for the Bisons clubs will be a road trip out west to take on the University of Victoria Vikes, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.